GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.6
335 Reviews (335)
5 Stars
205
4 Stars
94
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.4
93.9%
Recommend this course
301 out of 335 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
5 Reviews (5)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.8
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
5 out of 5 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
97.3%
Recommend this course
36 out of 37 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7094 yards
Slope 134
Rating 74.1

Ballyowen Golf Club is an homage to the great Scottish links courses, the place where golf originated. The course sprawls across 250 acres of rolling farmland that overlooks the Walkill River. The layout tumbles through valleys and hills, staying as true as possible to the natural contours of the land. Much like a traditional links golf course, the virtually treeless landscape is accented with craggy knolls. The challenging layout features lush green fairways that contrast beautifully with the pristine white sand bunkers and golden patches of rough that border the greensides. There are also water hazards that come into play on five holes. Ballyowen has earned the title of New Jersey's top public course and Golfweek has even ranked it as one of the top 50 courses in the country.

Book a Tee Time at
Ballyowen Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1998
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Roger Rulewich (1998) A. John Harvey

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Lodging

Lodging Available

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Spa, Showers, Lockers

Accolades

Reviews

4.6
335 Reviews (335)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 24
19th Hole Scenic Views 21
Dinner 13
Course Challenges Include:
Thick Rough 43
Bunkers 42
Undulating Greens 36
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 42
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 32
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 29
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 47
In the 'Burbs 17
At a Resort 15

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Windy and cold... awesome

I am lucky to live close to this gem. Ran over in late afternoon on a cold windy day and got 18 in in less than 3 hrs. Aerated greens but rest of course in great condition. Simply a dream day to start the year. Difficult conditions with the strong winds, but it is linx golf so should have wind.

Clubhouse gentleman was awesome. Helped me with an issue I had with CC. Love this place. Oh, and it was $36. Seriously... why ever go anywhere else.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best Course in New Jersey

Played here numerous times never disappointed always challenged,what a phenomenal way to end the golf season! love this course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 83
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
New Jersey Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Top New Jersey Course Lives Up to Its Reputation

The course is beautiful and in great condition. The staff is very welcoming and helpful. The only slightly negative aspect was the driving range - no easy turnaround so every time someone had to leave for the first tee, they had to backup a small cart path (of course with the backup beeping alert from the cart annoying everyone warming up). Also, they did not have anyone attending the range and many of the "pyramids' of balls were empty.
The course itself is challenging but fun. The Par value for each hole was very fair for women (which is not always the case with courses). You do need to stay on the fairway because hitting into the fescue grass will most likely result in a lost ball. The greens were fast (which is the reputation of the course) but not "unfair" because the breaks were easy to read and the hole placements were in reasonable spots on the greens the day we played (hole location #1 for that day).
If you have a chance to play BallyOwen, go for it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Previously Played

Player assistance guy

Great Course really like it played every year for last 6 Years but had a problem with the same guy every year. He followed us n wouldn’t let us be. Played with 3 of the fastest golfer I know n I’m pretty quick myself. Played in under 4 hrs every time. This was the only negative I have with this course. And also if we hit it in the rough( was pretty high) not native grass the rough , he wouldn’t help us even though he watched 3 balls land within 10 yards of him , will play there again when he no longer works there. It’s unfortunate really.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bring extra ballls

Great course. Very challenging . You will not find your balk if you veer off the fairway too much. Greens run very fast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Ballyowen

Enjoyed the round very much. Course was in very good shape. Pace of play was very good. No waiting on a busy Sunday. Challenging. If the balls goes into the heather it will be lost!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Hot weather
Used cart

There is only one way to describe this course

One of the best, if not best public course I've played in New Jersey. We also played in the afternoon, and the conditions were great and everybody on the course was respectful.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 161
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
New York Advisor
First Time Playing

Beautiful track, first class facility in every catagory

From the practice facility to the friendly staff, this track has just about everything a private club would have to offer. This links style set up in the mountains is very unique. There are many elevation changes and water is in play on some holes. Holes are beautifully designed with stratigically placed bunkers and conditions were excellent. If winds are blowing, this place can play extremely tough because errant tee shots will be punished if your ball finds the fescue. Despite its challenges, with five sets of tee boxes it is playable for all skill levels. Indeed a must play if you're a player from New Jersey or New York metro area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 42
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Outstanding track!

Second time playing this great course. Best public golf in NJ. A stout test from all tees but all holes are different and memorable. Would highly recommend especially for low handicappers. Conditions good , staff friendly and pace of play was good!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Walked

One of my favorites

Still one of my favorite courses. Conditions are excellent overall, even though a few bunkers can still use some work. Allows walking and push carts and gives you a discount for doing so. Caddies are available. Grass range and balls are included. Great layout except for a few awkward walks from green to next tee. No trees, but plenty of tall grass and bunkers.
Biggest negatives are gas carts and expensive food.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great first time playing this gem...

Came to play a round to kick off masters Sunday and was glad I made the long drive our to this course. It's a great looking facility with a friendly staff. The clubhouse is smallish, but the bar is a nice place to have a pint. The range is grass which is a big plus.

The course looks great and has a extremely fun layout. Shots off the tee require accuracy, but you do get rewarded when you hit your spot. The greens were receptive and putts rolled nicely. The par 3s are very memorable with water coming into play on 3 of the 4. The par 5s are great risk reward holes with none being too out of range after a proper drive.

The only issue was after the winter the fairways were extremely soggy. Many balls actually plugged almost completely underground... this made it pretty difficult to find your ball! This normally wouldn't be a problem - I've heard the course can play fast and firm in the summer.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Excellent course

Course condition was still very good even though I played the end of November. Excellent course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great facilities great view & layout

Always pleasure to play in top notch course like at ballyowen

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
New York Advisor
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

MUST PLAY

Thanks to GolfNow for allowing those of us on a limited budget to play courses of this caliber. Stellar layout, fair but demanding. Impeccable conditioning. Welcoming staff. Everything that golf should be. Favorite course in NJ. Played Bethpage Black the day before. Ballyowen can hold it's own against any course in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

tough greens

very pretty and fair but must stay in play

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great golf !!!

It was very nice but expecting better greens.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Franklin, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.3419470588
437
Hamburg, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.0394352941
255
Franklin, New Jersey
Private
4.0
1
Hamburg, New Jersey
Resort
4.3406764706
161
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.2213470588
325
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1776470588
848
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1776470588
848
Vernon, New Jersey
Public/Resort
3.9482294118
119
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1776470588
848
Sparta, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.1857764706
591
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.3182235294
599
Golf Packages

Shadowbrook Stay & Play Package

FROM $87 (USD)
TUNKHANNOCK, PA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Shadowbrook Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Shadowbrook Golf Course.

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $197 (USD)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and 2 rounds of golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.

Bear Trap Dunes Stay & Play Package

FROM $147 (USD)
BETHANY BEACH, DE | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations in a private residence within the Bear Trap Dunes community managed by 1st Choice Properties and 2 rounds of golf at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club.

Lansdowne Resort Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $247 (USD)
LEESBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Lansdowne Resort and 2 rounds of golf at The Golf Club at Lansdowne - Greg Norman & Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses.

Richmond Golf Getaway Package

FROM $147 (USD)
RICHMOND, VA | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Fairfield Inn & Suites – Richmond Airport and 2 rounds of golf at Royal New Kent Golf Club and The Club at Viniterra.
Now Reading